“They’re back! Third Uncle is back!”
With the shout from the youngest son of the second branch, members of the Lin family gradually woke from their slumber.
“Xinyao? Has Xinyao returned?”
The matriarch of the Lin family suddenly remembered that her youngest daughter had gone out some time ago. Why hadn’t she returned yet? Could something have happened?
“Aunt, Cousin Xinyao hasn’t returned yet.”
Lin Haoyu had been keeping an eye on Lin Xinyao. Ever since she left, he had been peering toward the door. If his mother hadn’t kept him from going out, he would have gone to look for her long ago.
As Master Lin and Third Uncle stepped through the main gate, the matriarch rushed over, tightly gripping Master Lin’s arm, her voice pleading:
“Husband, I’m afraid something has happened to Xinyao.”
Glancing at the mechanical wall clock, her face turned even paler. “Xinyao told me she was going to the Li family to see her classmate Li Yanbing. It’s been two hours, and she still hasn’t returned.”
“I’ll go find Cousin Xinyao.”
Before Lin Haoyu could take a step, his mother grabbed him. “Go where? There are so many of us here; no need for a child running around. Don’t let Xinyao get lost and then lose you too.”
After the Lin family had experienced their secret vault being emptied, everyone’s minds were full of chaotic thoughts, on edge and jumpy, scared of shadows and their own fears.
“Oldest, run to the Li family and find out what’s going on with your sister.”
Xinyao’s eldest brother clearly didn’t want to go but had no choice under their father’s orders. Meanwhile, the matriarch cast a resentful, sharp look at Lin Haoyu’s mother for her selfishness.
It didn’t take long for Xinyao’s eldest brother to run back, panting, shaking his head to indicate he hadn’t found her. After catching his breath, he reported:
“Xinyao did visit Li Yanbing, but he said he sent her back to the back gate two hours ago. He didn’t see her enter, but he heard the door close.”
“Was it Lin Suyu? Our family is all of one household. Apart from Lin Suyu in the back servant quarters, if anyone hid Cousin Xinyao, it would be her.”
Lin Haoyu’s thoughts were simple: whoever he disliked, he naturally suspected first. However, the matriarch knew it couldn’t have been Lin Suyu.
“It’s not Lin Suyu. She’s probably asleep in her room; she wouldn’t even wake up if there were thunder.”
She had personally administered Lin Suyu’s medicine with her daughter and watched her drink the green bean syrup before sleeping. Lin Suyu couldn’t possibly have woken up.
The matriarch’s confidence made things much easier for Lin Susu—though Lin Haoyu suspected her, the matriarch’s assurance removed the worry.
Back then, when the matriarch, like a cunning fox, had handed Lin Suyu green bean syrup, Lin Susu hadn’t drunk a drop; it had all been stored in the space.
“Big Brother, people outside are urging us. We have to leave immediately.”
Third Uncle urged, and the matriarch grew anxious, her tone sharp.
“No! We can’t leave. We can’t abandon Xinyao until she’s found.”
“Sister-in-law, our Lin family has dozens of people. Leaving isn’t something that can just be delayed. If we miss today’s opportunity, when will we leave? It’s unreasonable for dozens of us to stay behind for Xinyao.”
Lin Haoyu’s mother had a sharp tongue; upon hearing the matriarch forbid leaving, she babbled on.
“Exactly! Sister-in-law, this isn’t the time to act on feelings.”
Third Uncle, in charge of contacting people, argued—this time, someone risked their reputation to get them out. Next time? Who would risk themselves for just a bit of money?
“Big Uncle said the whole family cannot leave now. Why is Xinyao still so foolish? If she runs off and something happens, won’t it affect everyone?”
In the face of practical interests, competing voices grew loud. Master Lin wanted to find Xinyao but couldn’t ignore the welfare of the entire family.
“Shut up! If you leave Xinyao behind, I won’t let any of you leave either.”
“Sister-in-law, either stay and wait for Xinyao, then we’ll arrange your departure, or don’t blame us for leaving without her.”
These few words sparked conflict. The arguments between the matriarch and others made the Lin household unusually noisy.
“Father, staying behind to look for Xinyao isn’t practical. Let’s ask Uncle Wang for help. Once she’s found, we can reunite and leave. We’ll wait for her in Harbor City.”
The eldest brother spoke quickly to prevent his father and mother from leaving him behind. This younger sister had always been so willful that he, the eldest son, had suffered quite a bit. His feelings for Xinyao were lukewarm at best.
In fact, his concern for her was performative, meant for show. When it came to interests, he protected himself first, even his wife.
“Yes, Mother-in-law, don’t worry. Maybe Xinyao was just delayed by something. When she meets Uncle Wang’s men, we’ll leave her some belongings, ask for their help, and she’ll catch up with us in Harbor City in a couple of days.”
His wife, fearing her husband being left behind, echoed quickly. She would rather lose some money than leave him behind.
“Mother, why don’t you write a letter to Uncle so he can search for Xinyao tomorrow? With him there, you’ll see her soon.”
Xinyao’s second brother joined in, urging the matriarch and reminding her to leave a note for him.
“Madam, write a letter to your brother. Let Old Wang’s men deliver it. Everyone else gets on the car first.”
Master Lin finally spoke. He knew that this escape required immense favors and cost. For the sake of dozens of family members, he had to act rationally.
“With your brother there, Xinyao will be fine.” Master Lin’s reassurance was as much for himself as for them.
“If we can’t find Xinyao… I… I won’t want to live. Husband, promise me, we leave Harbor City only when Xinyao joins us. Until then, no one moves.”
Her words were sharp and determined. The scheming of the rest of the Lin family chilled her heart.
“Fine. Whatever you say. Eldest daughter-in-law, come help your mother.”
Finally, the Lin family departed. On the surface, Lin Susu appeared to be sleeping, but in truth, her consciousness was immersed in the space, tending her crops.
Less than half an hour after the Lin family left, she sprang into action, gathering everything within reach. She moved from the third branch’s rooms to the main house, collecting various precious wooden furniture and ornaments. If possible, she wanted to dismantle the wall lights too, like the mechanical clocks, all stored in the space—a full-scale cleaning.
Beyond furniture, the Lin family also had dried goods, tobacco, and alcohol. Food wasn’t abundant, but enough for her to last several months.
In the kitchen, she didn’t leave out the large jars for water and grain, nor the big iron pots, charcoal stoves, clay pots—even the bellows for starting fires—all were stored in her space.